A*STAR
scientists have identified the precise regulation of polyamine levels critical
for embryonic stem cells (ESC) to divide indefinitely and for directed
differentiation.
Stem cells can be used to repair tissue
damaged by disease or trauma due to their unique ability to renew themselves
and differentiate into any specific types of cell in the body.
Scientists from IMB showed that high levels of
Amd1, a key enzyme in the polyamine synthesis pathway, is essential for
maintenance of the ESC state and self renewal of ESCs.
They also showed that increasing Amd1 levels
led to delayed ESC differentiation.
Dr Leah Vardy, Principle Investigator at the
IMB, said that the polyamines that Amd1 regulate have the potential to regulate
many different aspects of self renewal and differentiation.
"The next step is to understand in more
detail the molecular targets of these polyamines both in embryonic stem cells
and cells differentiating to different cellular lineages.
"It is possible that manipulation of
polyamine levels in embryonic stem cells through inhibitors or activators of
the pathway could help direct the differentiation of embryonic stem cells to
more clinically useful cell types," Dr Leah Vardy said.
Prof. Birgitte Lane, Executive Director of
IMB, said the research results have breakthrough consequences in many areas and
can bring about far-reaching applications.
"Developing cellular therapies is just
one long-term clinical benefit of understanding ESC biology, which can also
help develop stem cell systems for disease modeling, developing new drugs as
well as a tool for researchers to answer other biological questions."
AsiaOne
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